KEEL & RUDDER

The Bluewater 56 features an externally bolted lead keel with fourteen keel bolts run in parallel, each 35mm in diameter.  Each pair of Bolts is coupled with a solid 10mm stainless backing plate with two stainless nuts on each bolt.  This design format represents a superior design to earlier encapsulated keels and has a Zero failure rate.  The following link (FAQ) outlines the design differences of an Externally Bolted Keel vs. Encapsulated Keel.

 

A  key safety feature of all Bluewater Yachts is our 60% skegged rudder which offers superior balance, performance and response while offering a wider range of protection over a spade or even fully skegged Rudder.(FAQ)  A partially-skegged rudder offers a three-bearing design which is stronger and more compressed than a fully-skegged rudder without the risk of the lower skeg jamming against the rudder in moderate to heavy impact.

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Very importantly the top bearing is above the waterline with excellent access and is easily serviced.